Stem disc

ABSTRACT

A disc for supporting a stem of a stemmed container may include a disc body defined by a periphery. The body may define a center opening and a slot extending from the center opening to the periphery. The slot may be configured to receive the stem of the stemmed container and the periphery may be configured to maintain the stemmed container within a receptacle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/813,861; filed Apr. 19, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally cup holders are configured to receive beverage containers such as cups, bottles, cans, etc. However, glasses, such as wine glasses, may tip when being held by traditional cup holders.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary drawing of a wine glass and a stem disc assembly;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary exploded view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary stem disc;

FIG. 4 is another exemplary stem disc;

FIG. 5 is another exemplary stem disc;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary top view of a stem disc;

FIG. 7 is another exemplary top view of a stem disc;

FIG. 8 is another exemplary top view of a stem disc;

FIG. 9 is another exemplary top view of a stem disc; and

FIG. 10 is another exemplary top view of a stem disc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments, and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claims.

Cup holders or receptacles may be found in and on numerous items in order to prevent beverages from spilling. In some examples, vehicles such as cars, trucks, vans, boats, etc. may include cup holders. The cup holders may be configured to receive cans and cups containing liquids such as soda, water, juice, alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine, etc. While these receptacles may be configured to receive certain cups or bottles, they are often not designed to receive stemmed glassware, such as wine glasses, martini glasses, etc. While the base of a wine glass may fit within these receptacles, the stem of the wine glass may not be secured therein. The wine glass may thus be subject to tipping, which may lead to a spill of the contents therein. Wine drinkers often prefer a wine glass to other type of containers (e.g., cups, cans bottles, etc.). However, due to the inconvenience provided by current cup holders, wine drinkers are either forced to continuously hold their glasses, or use alternative drink ware such as a cup (e.g., Solo™, cup). Furthermore, recreational vehicles such as pontoon boats, campers, etc., are often a venue for wine drinking but lack an appropriate receptacle for preventing spills.

Disclosed herein is a stem disc configured to receive the stem of a wine glass or other stemmed glassware and be received within a cup holder. At least a portion of the outer periphery of the stem disc may abut an interior of the cup holder, thus maintaining the wine glass within the cup holder and preventing tipping thereof. Thus, a single wine disc may be configured to work in multiple cup holders in various objects and vehicles and offers a simple and economical solution for those preferring to drink out of a stemmed glass.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary stem disc 102 surrounding the stem 106 of a beverage container 104. The beverage container 104 may be any type of stemmed glass including but not limited to a champagne flute, sherry glass, Boccalini, martini glass, wine glass, liquor glass, etc. The container 104 may have a base 108 (shown in phantom) configured to stabilize the container 104 on a surface. The base 108 may be placed in a cup holder 110. The cup holder (or receptacle) 110 may be configured to retain a container such as a cup, can, bottle, etc., to prevent a liquid from spilling therefrom. The cup holder 110 may be included in any type of vehicle such as, but not limited to, a car, plane, train, boat, etc. The cup holder 110 may also be included in furniture such as sofas, portable chairs, etc., as well as other items including coolers, tables, and so on. The cup holder 110 may be cylindrical or nearly cylindrical. The cup holder may also have an oblong cross section and may also be cubical.

The cup holder 110 may be configured to retain beverage containers such as cans, bottles and cups, but may not be suitable for retaining certain types of beverage containers 104 having stems 106. These containers 104 may easily tip within the cup holder 110. The disclosed stem disc 102 may be configured to encircle the stem 106 of a container 104 and be received within the cup holder 110 to prevent the container 104 from tipping and thus preventing the liquid within the container 104 from spilling. The disc 102 may be placed at any location on the stem 106 including at the top of the stem near the beverage, or at the bottom, abutting the base 108, depending on the depth of the cup holder 110.

Referring to FIG. 2, the disc 102 may have a first face 126 and an opposing second face (not shown) interconnected by a periphery 118 to form a generally cylinder-like shape. It may also have oblong cross section and may also have a cubical shape. The disc 102 may define a center opening 120 and at least a first slot 122 extending from the center opening 120 to the outer periphery 118, as shown in FIGS. 3-10. The first slot 122 may be configured to be selectively opened so as to provide access to the opening 120 to receive the stem 106 of the container 104. In one exemplary arrangement, the center opening 120 may be configured to retain the disc 102 around the stem 106. That is, the disc 102 is slipped onto the stem 106 via the first slot 122 and retained on the stem 106 at the center opening 120. The center opening 120 may have a diameter of approximately 0.34 inches (0.86 cm) or between 0.25 inches and 0.75 inches (0.64 cm to 1.91 cm).

The disc may have a thickness of approximately 1.0 inch (2.54 cm). The first slot 122 may be a cut extending from the outer periphery 118 to the center opening 120 and may have opposite slot faces whereby during placement on the stem 106 within the center opening 120, the slot faces may be selectively parted from one another. Once the stem 106 is placed within the center opening 120, the faces may be biased to return to a normal configuration and abut one another, as shown in FIG. 2. Force may be applied so that the faces open and part form one another so that the stem 106 may then be removed from the center opening 120. However, without the application of force, the faces may continue to abut each other so that the engagement of the stem disc 102 is not unintentionally interrupted.

The disc 102 may have a first diameter D₁. This diameter may be slightly smaller than the diameter of the cup holder 110, shown and referred to herein as the second diameter D₂. The disc 102 is configured to fit within the cup holder 110 and generally abut the sides of the cup holder 110 so as to stabilize the container 104 therein.

The disc 102 may be made of any number of materials, including but not limited to Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, polymers, elastomers, plastics, metals, rubber, vinyl, or any combination thereof. For exemplary purposes only, the disc may be made of two pound (2#) crosslinked polyethylene. The disc 102 may have frictional properties so as to frictionally engage with the sides of the cup holder 110.

Referring to FIG. 2, the disc 102 may be configured to receive the stem 106 of a container 104 by parting the slot 122 and sliding the stem toward the center opening 120 until the stem 106 enters the center opening 120. The base 108 of the container 104 disposed underneath the disc 102, and the disc 102 may then be inserted into a cup holder 110. At least a portion of the outer periphery 118 of the disc 102 may abut the sides of the cup holder 110. The container 104 may be placed in, removed from, and placed back in the cup holder 110, with ease. Once the base 108 of the container 104 is placed within the holder 110, the disc 102 abuts the sides of the cup holder 110, preventing the stem 106 from moving laterally, and thus preventing the container 104 from tipping.

Referring to FIG. 3, the disc 102 may also be configured to have a generally cylindrical body. The container 104 may have a generally straight outer periphery configured to abut the sides of a cup holder 110. The disc 102 may have a first diameter D₁ of approximately 3.55 inches (9.02 cm) or between 3.00 and four 4.00 inches (7.62 cm and 10.16 cm). In one embodiment the diameter may be such that the disc may be received by a standard, 3.625 inch cup holder 110. In another example, the diameter may be such that the disc may fit a chair cup holder having a diameter of approximately 2.50 inches (6.35 cm). In another example, the diameter may be approximately 3.31 inches (8.40 cm).

Referring to FIG. 4, the disc 102 may be configured with at least one rounded edge, or a concave shape, at the periphery 118. Upon placing the base 108 of the container 104 within the cup holder 110, the rounded edges may allow for easier placement such that the rounded edge may help guide the disc 102 into the holder 110. Additionally, while the edge of the disc 102 may provide stability around the stem 106 while the container 104 is within the cup holder 110, the less surface area of the disc 102 that abuts the sides of the cup holder 110, the less resistance the user may encounter when removing the container 104 from the cup holder 110.

Referring to FIG. 5, the disc 102 may have a convex periphery 118 such that the outer periphery 118 of the disc 102 is irregular. Such an irregular disc 102 may create several contact surfaces between the disc 102 and the holder 110. This may increase frictional engagement as well as increase the stability of the disc 102 within the holder 110. Additionally or alternatively, the periphery 118 may include a textured surface to increase the frictional characteristics of the disc 102.

FIGS. 6-10 show exemplary top views of the disc 102. FIG. 6 is a top view of the discs 102 of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 7 shows a plurality of second slots 124 extending radially outwardly from the center opening 120. These slots 124 may be configured perforations within the center of the disc 102 to allow for adjustment of the center opening 102 to accommodate varying widths of stems 106 so as to maintain various sized stems 106 within the center opening 120. The second slots 124 may allow for the size of the opening 120 to be flexible in order to fit stems of varying diameters. These second slots 124 may be of varying lengths. The varying lengths may provide for an increased flexibility around the stem 106, while maintaining sufficient rigidity of the center of the disc 102.

While the disc 102 may be generally cylindrical, the disc 102 may also have other shapes and forms. FIG. 8, for example, shows a disc 102 having an irregular periphery. In one exemplary arrangement, the irregular periphery may be formed by a plurality of radially outwardly extending protrusions 140. Disposed between such protrusions are void areas 141. The protrusions have a radial extent that is approximately equal to the first diameter D1, discussed above. When positioned within the cup holder 110, the void areas 141 assist in extracting stem disc 102 from the cup holder 110 by permitting a user's finger access between the stem disc 102 and the inside surface of the cup holder. Moreover, the plurality of protrusions 140 provide multiple contact points between the inside edge of the cup holder 110 and the periphery of the stem disc 102, thereby ensuring sufficient stability of the stem disc and container 104.

FIG. 9 shows another exemplary disc 102 having a star-like shape, also forming a plurality of protrusions 140 with a plurality of void areas 141 therebetween. As discussed above, in both of the examples of FIGS. 8 and 9, the outermost point of the disc 102 along the periphery 118 is configured to engage the sides of the cup holder 110.

FIG. 10 is another exemplary disc 102 having an irregular periphery. The periphery may have a plurality of inwardly extending recesses 142 and between adjacent recesses 142 are elongated projections 140. The slot 122, as shown in FIG. 10, may extend from the center opening 120 to a center of one of the recesses 142. Each protrusion 140 may form an arc-like shape at the edge of the disc 102. Each protrusion may have a protrusion length l₁, which is the length of the arch of each protrusion 140. Each recess 142 may be a semi-circular cut out at the edge of the disc 102, as shown in FIG. 10. Each recess may thus from an opening, or notch, in the edge of the disc. The length of the opening is described herein as an opening length l₂ and represents the void in the edge of the disc 102. This length is drawn in phantom on FIG. 10 and forms an arch between the protrusions 140. In one exemplary arrangement, the depth of the recess 142, shown as h in FIG. 10, may be approximately 0.31 inches (0.800 cm) measured to the phantom arch.

The diameter D₁ of the disc 102 may be the diameter measured from protrusion 140 to protrusion, as shown in FIG. 10. For example, the diameter may be approximately 3.55 inches (9.02 cm). With an exemplary diameter D₁ of 3.55 inches, the disc 102 may have a circumference of approximately 11.15 inches (28.31 cm). As shown in FIG. 10, on one exemplary configuration, the disc 102 may include five (5) protrusions 140 and five (5) recesses. However, it is understood that the disclosure is not limited to this particular configuration. The opening length l₂ may be less than the protrusion length l₁. In one example, the opening length l₂ may be approximately a little more than half the length of the protrusion length l₁. For example, a disc 102 having five (5) protrusions 140 and five (5) recesses 142 may have an opening length l₂ of approximately 0.80 inches (2.03 cm) and a protrusion length l₁ of approximately 1.43 inches (3.63 cm).

A plurality of second slots 124 may extend radially from the center opening 120. FIG. 10 shows an exemplary four (4) slots having a length s, which may be approximately 0.25 inches (0.64 cm). The slots 124 may be spaced equidistantly from each other and may take into account the first slot 122. That is, the slot 122 and slots 124 may be equally spaced from one another. As explained above, the second slots 124 allow the center opening 120 to receive a stem 106 having a diameter exceeds the diameter of the center opening 120. The slots 124 thus allow the center opening 120 to expand slightly to surround the stem 106 without undue force from the user. Thus, disc 102 may surround stems 106 of varying sizes.

During manufacturing, the disc 102 may be formed of any material, as explained above. The disc 102 may be stamped, cut, molded, dyed, etc. The disc 102 may be formed in one step by perforating the outer periphery 118, the center opening 120 and the slot 122 all at once. Alternatively the disc 102 may be formed by multiple steps. The disc may be cut using a steel rule die via a vertical hand press. The disc 102 may include a cover whereby the slot 122 and center opening 120 are still accessible. The disc 102 may be waterproof or at least water resistant. Moreover, the disc 102 may be lightweight and may be configured to float in water. The exterior of the disc 102 may be configured to receive a writing, such as a person's name. This writing may be permanent or erasable for later use. It may also be configured to receive a logo and/or advertisement.

Multiple discs 102 could be used on a single stem 106 to increase stability. The disc 102 may also have thermal properties and may be configured to maintain the temperature of the beverage container 104. It may also include a cooling mechanisms and be configured to cool the container 104.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent upon reading the above description. The scope should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the application is capable of modification and variation.

All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary in made herein. In particular, the use of the words “first,” “second,” etc. may be interchangeable. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A disc for supporting a stem of a stemmed container, comprising: a disc body having a defined by a periphery, wherein the body defines a center opening and a slot extending from the center opening to the periphery, the slot configured to receive the stem of the stemmed container and the periphery configured to maintain the stemmed container within a receptacle.
 2. The disc of claim 1, wherein the periphery defines a plurality of alternating recesses and protrusions, the protrusions configured to abut a side of the receptacle and maintain the stemmed container therein.
 3. The disc of claim 2, wherein the each of the recesses have a same opening length and wherein each of the protrusions have a same protrusion length.
 4. The disc of claim 3, wherein each opening length is approximately half of the protrusion length.
 5. The disc of claim 2, wherein the slot forms a pair of opposite slot faces biased together.
 6. The disc of claim 2, wherein disc body is generally cylindrical.
 7. A disc, comprising: a disc body defined by a periphery, wherein the body defines a center opening and a first slot extending form the center opening to the periphery, the first slot configured to receive a stem of a beverage container, the disc body further defining at least one second slot extending radially outwardly from the center opening permitting the center opening to have a flexible radius.
 8. The disc of claim 7, wherein the at least one second slot extends outwardly from the center opening and has a length of approximately 0.25 inches.
 9. The disc of claim 7, wherein the at least one second slot includes at least four second slots.
 10. The disc of claim 7, wherein the second slots and the first slot are equidistantly spaced from one another and extending radially outwardly at the center opening.
 11. A disc comprising: a disc body having a generally cylindrical shape defined by a periphery, wherein the body defines a center opening and a slot extending from the center opening to the periphery.
 12. The disc of claim 11, wherein the periphery defines a plurality of alternating recesses and protrusions, the protrusions configured to abut a side of a receptacle and maintain a stemmed container therein.
 13. The disc of claim 12, wherein the each of the recesses have a same opening length and wherein each of the protrusions have a same protrusion length.
 14. The disc of claim 13, wherein each opening length is approximately half of the protrusion length.
 15. The disc of claim 12, wherein the periphery defines five recesses and five protrusions.
 16. The disc of claim 12, wherein the slot extends from the center opening to a center of at least one of the recesses.
 17. The disc of claim 11, wherein the disc has a first face and a second face, the periphery extending between the first face and second face forming the generally cylindrical shape and further wherein the periphery forms at least one of a concave curve and a convex curve.
 18. The disc of claim 11, wherein the periphery includes a plurality of protrusions configured to abut a side of a receptacle.
 19. The disc of claim 11, wherein the disc is composed of a foam-like material.
 20. The disc of claim 11, wherein the disc may have a thickness of approximately one (1.0) inch. 